WO2012027775A1 - A pipe compressing and coiling device and method and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method - Google Patents

A pipe compressing and coiling device and method and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012027775A1
WO2012027775A1 PCT/AU2011/000943 AU2011000943W WO2012027775A1 WO 2012027775 A1 WO2012027775 A1 WO 2012027775A1 AU 2011000943 W AU2011000943 W AU 2011000943W WO 2012027775 A1 WO2012027775 A1 WO 2012027775A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pipe
drum
decompressing
compressed
rollers
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2011/000943
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Rodger David Connolly
Original Assignee
Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2010903903A external-priority patent/AU2010903903A0/en
Application filed by Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Limited filed Critical Iplex Pipelines Australia Pty Limited
Priority to AU2011295618A priority Critical patent/AU2011295618B2/en
Publication of WO2012027775A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012027775A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C53/02—Bending or folding
    • B29C53/08—Bending or folding of tubes or other profiled members
    • B29C53/086—Bending or folding of tubes or other profiled members bending radially, i.e. deformig the cross-section of the tube
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C53/00—Shaping by bending, folding, twisting, straightening or flattening; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C53/16—Straightening or flattening
    • B29C53/20—Straightening or flattening of tubes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/40—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable
    • B65H75/42—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles
    • B65H75/425—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material mobile or transportable attached to, or forming part of, mobile tools, machines or vehicles attached to, or forming part of a vehicle, e.g. truck, trailer, vessel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H75/00—Storing webs, tapes, or filamentary material, e.g. on reels
    • B65H75/02—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks
    • B65H75/34—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables
    • B65H75/38—Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans, mandrels or chucks specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables involving the use of a core or former internal to, and supporting, a stored package of material
    • B65H75/44—Constructional details
    • B65H75/4402—Guiding arrangements to control paying-out and re-storing of the material
    • B65H75/4405—Traversing devices; means for orderly arranging the material on the drum
    • B65H75/4407—Traversing devices; means for orderly arranging the material on the drum positively driven, e.g. by a transmission between the drum and the traversing device
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/30—Handled filamentary material
    • B65H2701/33—Hollow or hose-like material
    • B65H2701/332—Flattened hoses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pipe compressing and coiling device and method.
  • the invention also relates to a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method.
  • the invention has been developed for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of thermoplastics pipe.
  • the principle application of the invention is with high density polyethylene pipes without outside diameters of over 200 millimetres which are used in the collection, carriage and distribution of fuel gas.
  • the invention is also suitable for use with other materials such as water, sewerage, oil or slurry and in pipeline applications utilising polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene or other thermoplastics materials.
  • thermoplastics pipe onto a drum for the purpose of transporting long lengths.
  • increasing the transportable length of pipes reduces the frequency at which joining is required, which advantageously reduces installation time and cost; reduces the number of sites where leaks or other joint failures could occur; and improves safety.
  • the minimum coiling diameter before buckling or kinking will occur is approximately 20 times the pipe's outside diameter.
  • Coiling high density polyethylene pipe with an outside diameter of greater than 200 millimetres requires at least a 4 metre inner coil diameter and is generally considered impractical due to regulatory restrictions on road transport load widths and heights.
  • a known approach to reduce the minimum cooling diameter involves using a pair of opposing belts, prior to a pipe coiler, to compress the polyethylene pipe in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the drum around which the pipe is to be coiled. This has the effect of increasing the pipe's second moment of inertia relative to its coil-bending axis.
  • the pipe is coiled, the induced bending stress returns the pipe to a largely circular, shape. This process reduces the minimum coiling diameter before buckling or kinking will occur to approximately 11 times the pipe's outside diameter.
  • thermoplastics pipe before buckling or kinking occurs.
  • the present invention provides a pipe compressing and coiling device, the device including:
  • a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis
  • a pipe compressing means for providing compressed pipe to the drum for coiling therearound
  • the pipe compressing means is adapted to compress the pipe, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, from a substantially round cross sectional shape to a substantially oval cross sectional shape.
  • the device preferably includes means to maintain the pipe compressed whilst it is wound around the drum.
  • the pipe compressing means is preferably adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum.
  • the pipe compressing means is preferably reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
  • the pipe compressing means preferably includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
  • the pipe compressing means preferably includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably adapted to compress the pipe in a single action.
  • the pipe compressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to progressively compress the pipe in turn.
  • the pipe compressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
  • the plurality of rollers, or roller pairs are preferably mounted offset from one another, or about an arc, such that they induce a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis.
  • the rollers, or roller pairs preferably sequentially compress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
  • the rollers, or roller pairs are preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
  • the drum is preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
  • the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together, preferably gear coupled.
  • the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
  • the compressed pipe storage drum and the pipe compressing means are preferably relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the compressed pipe being coiled around the drum.
  • the pipe compressing and coiling device is preferably mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
  • the present invention provides a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, the device including:
  • a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis around which is coiled pipe that has been compressed, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, to a substantially oval cross sectional shape;
  • a pipe decompressing means for removing the compressed pipe from the drum and decompressing it towards a substantially round cross sectional shape.
  • the compressed pipe is preferably spirally coiled around the drum and the pipe decompressing means is adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum.
  • the pipe decompressing means is preferably reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
  • the pipe decompressing means preferably includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe
  • the pipe decompressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe decompressing means.
  • the pipe decompressing means preferably includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably adapted to decompress the pipe in a single action.
  • the pipe decompressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to progressively decompress the compressed pipe in turn.
  • the rollers, or roller pairs preferably sequentially decompress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
  • rollers are each preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
  • the drum is preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
  • the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together, preferably gear coupled.
  • the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
  • the storage drum and the pipe decompressing means are preferably relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the decompressed pipe being uncoiled from the drum.
  • the pipe decompressing and uncoiling device is preferably mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
  • the pipe decompressing and uncoiling device preferably includes means to monitor and/or adjust the speed at which the pipe is dereeled and decompressed.
  • the monitoring means is preferably driven by a wheel or the trailer or truck.
  • the monitoring means preferably includes a Doppler velocimeter speed measurement and control.
  • the present invention provides a method of compressing and coiling a pipe, the method including the following steps:
  • the method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum.
  • the method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
  • the method preferably includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair.
  • the method preferably includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two.
  • the method preferably includes the step of compressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably compressing the pipe in a single action.
  • the method preferably includes the step of progressively compressing the pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two.
  • the method preferably includes inducing a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis by gripping and driving the pipe through the plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, that are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc.
  • the method preferably includes the step of sequentially compressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 70% of its original diameter.
  • the present invention provides a method of decompressing and uncoiling a compressed pipe, the method including the following steps:
  • the method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum.
  • the method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
  • the method preferably includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair.
  • the method preferably includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two.
  • the method preferably includes the step of decompressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably decompressing the pipe in a single action.
  • the method preferably includes the step of progressively decompressing the compressed pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two.
  • the method preferably includes the step of sequentially decompressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, after coiling of a layer of pipe has been completed;
  • Fig. 2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 1 during coiling or uncoiling of a layer of pipe;
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1 at the commencement of uncoiling of pipe;
  • Fig. 5 shows cross sectional views of the pipe and any associated rollers at regions A, B, C, D, E and F of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device;
  • Fig. 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device;
  • Fig. 8 is a side view of a first embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement
  • Fig. 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement
  • Fig. 10 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, after coiling of a layer of pipe has been completed;
  • Fig. 1 1 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 10;
  • Fig. 12 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 10 during coiling or uncoiling of a layer of pipe; and
  • Fig. 13 shows cross sectional views of the pipe and any associated rollers at regions J, , L, M, N and O of Fig. 1 1.
  • Figs. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 10 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe.
  • the device 10 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device as will be described below.
  • the device 10 includes a chassis or frame 1 1 formed from a steel base plate 12 and four steel beams 14.
  • the frame 1 1 can be mounted to a truck or trailer for road transportation.
  • the device 10 includes a steel storage drum 16 with an outside diameter of about 2.2 metres and a width of about 3.5 metres.
  • the drum 16 rotates about a longitudinal axis x- x.
  • the drum 16 includes two end flanges 17 of about 3.8metres in diameter.
  • the drum 16 is supported by a pair of braces 18 which are mounted to the base plate 12.
  • the drum 16 can be rotated clockwise or counter clockwise, as indicated by arrows 19, in response to the energising and control of a drum motor 20.
  • the drum motor 20 can be electrically or hydraulically powered.
  • the device 10 also includes a pipe head, indicated generally by the reference numeral 22.
  • a pair braces 24 extend from the base plate 12 and support a bar 26 which extends parallel to the axis x-x.
  • the pipe head 22 is mounted for reciprocating driving back and fourth along the length of the bar 26, as indicated by arrows 27a, and also for pivotal movement around the bar 26, as indicated by double headed arrow 27b.
  • the pipe head 22 includes first, second, third and fourth pairs of rollers 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d respectively.
  • the roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are driven by a roller motor 30, which can also be electrically or hydraulically powered. As will be described in more detail below, the roller pairs 28b and 28d are used for pipe compression and the roller pairs 28a and 28c are used for pipe decompression.
  • FIG. 5 shows the substantially round cross section of the (non compressed) pipe 32.
  • the compressing and coiling process occurs in several stages, with the first step being the energising of the roller motor 30 to drive the four roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d in counter rotation with another.
  • the substantially round pipe 32 is then fed into the first roller pair 28a which grips the pipe 32, as shown in View B of Fig. 5, and drives the pipe 32 into the second roller pair 28b.
  • the second roller pair 28b then compresses or flattens the pipe 32, in a direction that is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis x-x of the drum 16, into a substantially oval cross sectional shape oval having a shorter cross sectional dimension that is about 70% of the original diameter of the pipe 32. This is shown in View C of Fig. 5.
  • the second roller pair 28b then drives the compressed pipe 32 into the third roller pair 28d which maintains the compressed pipe's geometry, as shown in View D of Fig. 5, and then drive the compressed pipe into the fourth roller pair 28d.
  • the fourth roller pair 28d further compresses or flattens the pipe 32, in a direction that is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis x-x of the drum 16, into a substantially oval cross sectional shape having a shorter cross sectional dimension that is about 35% to 40% of the original diameter of the non compressed round pipe 32.
  • the substantially oval shaped compressed pipe 32' is then fed onto, and tangentially attached to, the drum 16.
  • the roller motor 30 is then disengaged and the drum motor 20 is engaged and energised to rotate the drum in a clockwise direction (relative to Fig. 2) to coil the compressed pipe 32' around the drum 16.
  • Axial tension is maintained in the compressed pipe 32' as it is coiled around the drum 16 by the frictional drag of the roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d.
  • the pipe head 22 is reciprocated, as shown in Fig. 3, along the bar 26 in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x to cause the compressed pipe to be spirally wound onto the drum 16.
  • a single layer of spirally wound compressed pipe 32' is shown in Fig.
  • the device 10 advantageously increases the maximum lengths of a piece of the pipe 32 that may be transported on a truck or trailer meeting road transport load width and height restrictions in two ways. Firstly, the compressing of the pipe 32 into a substantially oval or elliptical shape 32' moves the inner and outer surfaces closer to its neutral plane, thereby reducing the differential tensile and compressive stress generated within the pipe wall that lead to buckling or kinking when wound around a tight coiling radius. As a result, the minimum diameter of the drum 16 around which the pipe is coiled without buckling or kinking can be reduced from the existing approximately 11 times the pipe's non-compressed outside diameter to about seven times the pipes diameter.
  • the compressed pipe 32' itself occupies a cross sectional area that is less than the pipe 32 when in an uncompressed round state.
  • a pipe ovalised by compressing its diameter by 45%, such that it's form assumes an elliptical shape occupies only around 65% of the volume of space of the same pipe in circular form.
  • Fig. 4 shows the drum 16 with about six layers of compressed pipe 32' spirally wound therearound.
  • the decompressing and uncoiling process begins by disengaging the drum motor 20 and energising the roller motor 30 to drive the rollers in the opposite direction to that previously described. This draws the pipe 32' away from the drum 16 and towards and through the rollers pairs 28d, 28c, 28b and 28a respectively.
  • the compressed pipe 32' is driven by the fourth roller pair 28d, as shown in View E of Fig. 5, into the third roller pair 28c.
  • the third roller pair 28c applies a compression force, as shown in View D of Fig. 5, in a direction parallel to the axis x-x. This causes the pipe 32' to be re-rounded by approximately 30%.
  • the third roller pair 28c then drives the compressed pipe 32' into the second roller pair 28b, as shown in View C of Fig. 5.
  • the second roller pair 28b then drives the compressed pipe 32' into the first roller pair 28a which applies a compression force in a direction parallel to the axis x-x, as shown in View B of Fig. 5.
  • the roller head 22 pivots in the direction of arrow 27b as the layers of the pipe 32' increase or decrease around the drum 16 to ensure that the pipe 32' is tangential to the drum 16 or adjacent layer of coiled pipe 32'.
  • Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 50 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe.
  • the device 50 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device.
  • the construction and operation of the device 50 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are indicated with like reference numerals.
  • the device 50 uses a pair of opposed tractor belts 52, of high friction elastomeric material, to compress the pipe 32 in a single stage.
  • the belts 52 also decompress the compressed pipe 32' in a single stage.
  • Fig ; 7 shows a third embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 60 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe.
  • the device 60 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device.
  • the construction and operation of the device 60 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are again indicated with like reference numerals.
  • the device 60 uses a linear servo motor 62 to reciprocate the pipe head 22 back and fourth along the length of the bar 26.
  • Fig. 8 shows a first embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement 70.
  • the arrangement includes a track type prime mover 72, a first trailer 74 and a second trailer 76.
  • the first trailer 74 carries the drum 16 of the compressed pipe 32'.
  • the second trailer 76 carries the pipe compressing and coiling device 10.
  • Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement 80.
  • the arrangement 80 includes a truck prime mover 82 and a trailer 84.
  • the trailer 84 carries a pair of the drums 16 of the compressed pipe 32'.
  • Figs. 10 to 13 show a fourth embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 90 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe.
  • the device 90 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device.
  • the construction and operation of the device 90 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are again indicated with like reference numerals.
  • the device 90 uses first, second, third and fourth pairs of calendar rollers 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d respectively.
  • the calendar rollers 92a-92d are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc, such that they induce (ie. crank) a curvature into the pipe 32 that is complimentary to the coiling axis x-x. This curvature assists in the coiling process.
  • the roller head 22 of a device used only for pipe compression and coiling only requires the compressing roller pairs 28b and 28d and the roller head 22 of a device used only for pipe decompression and uncoiling only requires the decompressing roller pairs 28a and 28c.
  • the decompression or re-rounding rollers can be ovalised in the vertical plane to compensate for viscoelastic creep that occurs whilst the pipe is wound onto the drum.
  • the rollers can also be coated in a high friction material, such as polyurethane, to avoid slip during coiling and uncoiling.
  • the device can also use more than more than 3 sets of rollers for coiling or uncoiling.

Abstract

A pipe compressing and coiling device (10). The device (10) includes a storage drum (16) and a pipe compressing means (28). The storage drum (16) has a longitudinal rotational axis (x-x). The pipe compressing means (28) provide the compressed pipe (32) to the drum (16) for coiling therearound. The pipe compressing means (28) is adapted to compress the pipe (32), in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis (x-x) of the drum (16), from a substantially round cross sectional shape to a substantially oval cross sectional shape. A pipe decompressing and decoiling device (10) is also disclosed, and associated methods of pipe compressing and coiling and pipe decompressing and decoiling.

Description

A pipe compressing and coiling device and method and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pipe compressing and coiling device and method. The invention also relates to a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method.
The invention has been developed for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of thermoplastics pipe. The principle application of the invention is with high density polyethylene pipes without outside diameters of over 200 millimetres which are used in the collection, carriage and distribution of fuel gas. However, the invention is also suitable for use with other materials such as water, sewerage, oil or slurry and in pipeline applications utilising polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene or other thermoplastics materials.
Background of the Invention
It is known to coil thermoplastics pipe onto a drum for the purpose of transporting long lengths. In the case of fuel gas pipe, increasing the transportable length of pipes: reduces the frequency at which joining is required, which advantageously reduces installation time and cost; reduces the number of sites where leaks or other joint failures could occur; and improves safety.
When coiled differential rates of tensile and compressive wall strain cause stress to develop between the inner and outer surfaces of the coiled pipe. This can lead to buckling or kinking. A pipe's diameter, wall thickness and flexural modulus are factors that govern the minimum coiling diameter possible before buckling or kinking will occur. Typically, pipes with relatively thinner walls have a greater propensity to buckle or kink.
When a high density polyethylene pipe is coiled around a drum, the minimum coiling diameter before buckling or kinking will occur is approximately 20 times the pipe's outside diameter. Coiling high density polyethylene pipe with an outside diameter of greater than 200 millimetres requires at least a 4 metre inner coil diameter and is generally considered impractical due to regulatory restrictions on road transport load widths and heights. A known approach to reduce the minimum cooling diameter involves using a pair of opposing belts, prior to a pipe coiler, to compress the polyethylene pipe in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the drum around which the pipe is to be coiled. This has the effect of increasing the pipe's second moment of inertia relative to its coil-bending axis. When the pipe is coiled, the induced bending stress returns the pipe to a largely circular, shape. This process reduces the minimum coiling diameter before buckling or kinking will occur to approximately 11 times the pipe's outside diameter.
It is an object of the present invention to further reduce the minimum possible coiling diameter of a thermoplastics pipe before buckling or kinking occurs.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a pipe compressing and coiling device, the device including:
a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis; and
a pipe compressing means for providing compressed pipe to the drum for coiling therearound,
wherein the pipe compressing means is adapted to compress the pipe, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, from a substantially round cross sectional shape to a substantially oval cross sectional shape.
The device preferably includes means to maintain the pipe compressed whilst it is wound around the drum. The pipe compressing means is preferably adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum. The pipe compressing means is preferably reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
The pipe compressing means preferably includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
The pipe compressing means preferably includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably adapted to compress the pipe in a single action.
The pipe compressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to progressively compress the pipe in turn. The pipe compressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum. The plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, are preferably mounted offset from one another, or about an arc, such that they induce a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis. The rollers, or roller pairs, preferably sequentially compress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
The rollers, or roller pairs, are preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor. The drum is preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor. In one form, the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together, preferably gear coupled. In another form, the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
The compressed pipe storage drum and the pipe compressing means are preferably relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the compressed pipe being coiled around the drum.
The pipe compressing and coiling device is preferably mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, the device including:
a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis around which is coiled pipe that has been compressed, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, to a substantially oval cross sectional shape; and
a pipe decompressing means for removing the compressed pipe from the drum and decompressing it towards a substantially round cross sectional shape.
The compressed pipe is preferably spirally coiled around the drum and the pipe decompressing means is adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum. The pipe decompressing means is preferably reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
The pipe decompressing means preferably includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe
decompressing means. The pipe decompressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe decompressing means. The pipe decompressing means preferably includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably adapted to decompress the pipe in a single action.
The pipe decompressing means preferably includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two, adapted to progressively decompress the compressed pipe in turn. The rollers, or roller pairs, preferably sequentially decompress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
The rollers, or roller pairs, are each preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor. The drum is preferably driven by an electric or hydraulic motor. In one form, the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together, preferably gear coupled. In another form, the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
The storage drum and the pipe decompressing means are preferably relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the decompressed pipe being uncoiled from the drum.
The pipe decompressing and uncoiling device is preferably mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
The pipe decompressing and uncoiling device preferably includes means to monitor and/or adjust the speed at which the pipe is dereeled and decompressed. In one form, the monitoring means is preferably driven by a wheel or the trailer or truck. In another form, the monitoring means preferably includes a Doppler velocimeter speed measurement and control.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of compressing and coiling a pipe, the method including the following steps:
compressing, in one direction, a substantially round cross sectionally shaped pipe to a substantially oval cross sectionally shaped pipe; and
coiling the compressed pipe around a pipe storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis;
wherein the pipe compressing direction is substantially normal to the
longitudinal rotational axis of the drum.
The method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum. The method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
The method preferably includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair. The method preferably includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two.
The method preferably includes the step of compressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably compressing the pipe in a single action.
The method preferably includes the step of progressively compressing the pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two. The method preferably includes inducing a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis by gripping and driving the pipe through the plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, that are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc. The method preferably includes the step of sequentially compressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 70% of its original diameter.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of decompressing and uncoiling a compressed pipe, the method including the following steps:
uncoiling compressed pipe, from a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis, that has been compressed in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum; and
decompressing the compressed pipe removed from the drum from a substantially oval cross sectional shape to a substantially round cross sectional shape.
The method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum. The method preferably includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
The method preferably includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair. The method preferably includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two. The method preferably includes the step of decompressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts, most preferably decompressing the pipe in a single action.
The method preferably includes the step of progressively decompressing the compressed pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, most preferably two. The method preferably includes the step of sequentially decompressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, after coiling of a layer of pipe has been completed;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 1 during coiling or uncoiling of a layer of pipe;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 1 at the commencement of uncoiling of pipe;
Fig. 5 shows cross sectional views of the pipe and any associated rollers at regions A, B, C, D, E and F of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device;
Fig. 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device;
Fig. 8 is a side view of a first embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement; Fig. 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement; Fig. 10 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, after coiling of a layer of pipe has been completed;
Fig. 1 1 is a side view of the device shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 10 during coiling or uncoiling of a layer of pipe; and
Fig. 13 shows cross sectional views of the pipe and any associated rollers at regions J, , L, M, N and O of Fig. 1 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figs. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 10 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe. The device 10 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device as will be described below.
The device 10 includes a chassis or frame 1 1 formed from a steel base plate 12 and four steel beams 14. The frame 1 1 can be mounted to a truck or trailer for road transportation.
The device 10 includes a steel storage drum 16 with an outside diameter of about 2.2 metres and a width of about 3.5 metres. The drum 16 rotates about a longitudinal axis x- x. The drum 16 includes two end flanges 17 of about 3.8metres in diameter. The drum 16 is supported by a pair of braces 18 which are mounted to the base plate 12. The drum 16 can be rotated clockwise or counter clockwise, as indicated by arrows 19, in response to the energising and control of a drum motor 20. The drum motor 20 can be electrically or hydraulically powered.
The device 10 also includes a pipe head, indicated generally by the reference numeral 22. A pair braces 24 extend from the base plate 12 and support a bar 26 which extends parallel to the axis x-x. The pipe head 22 is mounted for reciprocating driving back and fourth along the length of the bar 26, as indicated by arrows 27a, and also for pivotal movement around the bar 26, as indicated by double headed arrow 27b.
The pipe head 22 includes first, second, third and fourth pairs of rollers 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d respectively. The roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d are driven by a roller motor 30, which can also be electrically or hydraulically powered. As will be described in more detail below, the roller pairs 28b and 28d are used for pipe compression and the roller pairs 28a and 28c are used for pipe decompression.
The use of the device 10 in compressing and coiling a length of pipe 32, of outside diameter of about 315 millimetres, around the drum 16 for storage and/or transportation will now be described. View A of Fig. 5 shows the substantially round cross section of the (non compressed) pipe 32.
Referring to Fig. 2, the compressing and coiling process occurs in several stages, with the first step being the energising of the roller motor 30 to drive the four roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d in counter rotation with another. The substantially round pipe 32 is then fed into the first roller pair 28a which grips the pipe 32, as shown in View B of Fig. 5, and drives the pipe 32 into the second roller pair 28b. The second roller pair 28b then compresses or flattens the pipe 32, in a direction that is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis x-x of the drum 16, into a substantially oval cross sectional shape oval having a shorter cross sectional dimension that is about 70% of the original diameter of the pipe 32. This is shown in View C of Fig. 5. The second roller pair 28b then drives the compressed pipe 32 into the third roller pair 28d which maintains the compressed pipe's geometry, as shown in View D of Fig. 5, and then drive the compressed pipe into the fourth roller pair 28d. As shown in View E of Fig. 5, the fourth roller pair 28d further compresses or flattens the pipe 32, in a direction that is substantially normal to the longitudinal axis x-x of the drum 16, into a substantially oval cross sectional shape having a shorter cross sectional dimension that is about 35% to 40% of the original diameter of the non compressed round pipe 32.
The substantially oval shaped compressed pipe 32' is then fed onto, and tangentially attached to, the drum 16. The roller motor 30 is then disengaged and the drum motor 20 is engaged and energised to rotate the drum in a clockwise direction (relative to Fig. 2) to coil the compressed pipe 32' around the drum 16. Axial tension is maintained in the compressed pipe 32' as it is coiled around the drum 16 by the frictional drag of the roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d. As the drum 16 is rotated, the pipe head 22 is reciprocated, as shown in Fig. 3, along the bar 26 in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis x-x to cause the compressed pipe to be spirally wound onto the drum 16. A single layer of spirally wound compressed pipe 32' is shown in Fig. 1. When enough layers of the compressed pipe 32' are wound onto the drum to fill the flanges 17, as shown in Fig. 4, the drum motor 20 is stopped and the pipe 32 is cut just before the roller head 22 to leave a portion of the pipe 32 within the roller pairs 28a, 28b, 28c and 28d.
In the embodiment described above, about 300 metres of continuous, unjoined compressed pipe 32' can be coiled onto the drum 16, and advantageously still satisfy regulatory restrictions on road transport load widths and heights. In terms of maximum transportable length, this is an improvement of about 13 times for a similar material pipe of comparable outside diameter without using the device 10. Without use of the device 10', it is impractical to coil and transport pipes of 315mm diameter (as they are over 200 millimetres in diameter), and they have a maximum transportable length of about 22 metres on an extendable semi trailer (governed by the length of the trailer).
The device 10 advantageously increases the maximum lengths of a piece of the pipe 32 that may be transported on a truck or trailer meeting road transport load width and height restrictions in two ways. Firstly, the compressing of the pipe 32 into a substantially oval or elliptical shape 32' moves the inner and outer surfaces closer to its neutral plane, thereby reducing the differential tensile and compressive stress generated within the pipe wall that lead to buckling or kinking when wound around a tight coiling radius. As a result, the minimum diameter of the drum 16 around which the pipe is coiled without buckling or kinking can be reduced from the existing approximately 11 times the pipe's non-compressed outside diameter to about seven times the pipes diameter. Secondly, the compressed pipe 32' itself occupies a cross sectional area that is less than the pipe 32 when in an uncompressed round state. For example, a pipe ovalised by compressing its diameter by 45%, such that it's form assumes an elliptical shape, occupies only around 65% of the volume of space of the same pipe in circular form.
The use of the device 10 in decompressing and uncoiling the compressed pipe 32' will now be described. Fig. 4 shows the drum 16 with about six layers of compressed pipe 32' spirally wound therearound. The decompressing and uncoiling process begins by disengaging the drum motor 20 and energising the roller motor 30 to drive the rollers in the opposite direction to that previously described. This draws the pipe 32' away from the drum 16 and towards and through the rollers pairs 28d, 28c, 28b and 28a respectively.
The compressed pipe 32' is driven by the fourth roller pair 28d, as shown in View E of Fig. 5, into the third roller pair 28c. The third roller pair 28c applies a compression force, as shown in View D of Fig. 5, in a direction parallel to the axis x-x. This causes the pipe 32' to be re-rounded by approximately 30%. The third roller pair 28c then drives the compressed pipe 32' into the second roller pair 28b, as shown in View C of Fig. 5. The second roller pair 28b then drives the compressed pipe 32' into the first roller pair 28a which applies a compression force in a direction parallel to the axis x-x, as shown in View B of Fig. 5. This causes the pipe 32' to be re-rounded by about an additional 30 percent, causing it to emerge as the pipe 32 of a generally round cross sectional shape. In addition, further re-rounding occurs due to plastic memory effect in the pipe 32 over time, which can also be aided by heating from the sun.
The roller head 22 pivots in the direction of arrow 27b as the layers of the pipe 32' increase or decrease around the drum 16 to ensure that the pipe 32' is tangential to the drum 16 or adjacent layer of coiled pipe 32'.
Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 50 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe. The device 50 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device. The construction and operation of the device 50 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. However, the device 50 uses a pair of opposed tractor belts 52, of high friction elastomeric material, to compress the pipe 32 in a single stage. The belts 52 also decompress the compressed pipe 32' in a single stage.
Fig; 7 shows a third embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 60 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe. The device 60 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device. The construction and operation of the device 60 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are again indicated with like reference numerals. However, the device 60 uses a linear servo motor 62 to reciprocate the pipe head 22 back and fourth along the length of the bar 26.
Fig. 8 shows a first embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement 70. The arrangement includes a track type prime mover 72, a first trailer 74 and a second trailer 76. The first trailer 74 carries the drum 16 of the compressed pipe 32'. The second trailer 76 carries the pipe compressing and coiling device 10.
Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a prime mover and trailer arrangement 80. The arrangement 80 includes a truck prime mover 82 and a trailer 84. The trailer 84 carries a pair of the drums 16 of the compressed pipe 32'. Figs. 10 to 13 show a fourth embodiment of a pipe compressing and coiling device 90 for use in the transportation of long continuous lengths of high density polyethylene fuel gas pipe. The device 90 can also be operated as a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device. The construction and operation of the device 90 is similar to that of the device 10 and like features are again indicated with like reference numerals. However, the device 90 uses first, second, third and fourth pairs of calendar rollers 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d respectively. The calendar rollers 92a-92d are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc, such that they induce (ie. crank) a curvature into the pipe 32 that is complimentary to the coiling axis x-x. This curvature assists in the coiling process.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the roller head 22 of a device used only for pipe compression and coiling only requires the compressing roller pairs 28b and 28d and the roller head 22 of a device used only for pipe decompression and uncoiling only requires the decompressing roller pairs 28a and 28c. However, it is convenient to package all of the roller pairs into one device that can be operated to do both functions. Also, the decompression or re-rounding rollers can be ovalised in the vertical plane to compensate for viscoelastic creep that occurs whilst the pipe is wound onto the drum. The rollers can also be coated in a high friction material, such as polyurethane, to avoid slip during coiling and uncoiling. The device can also use more than more than 3 sets of rollers for coiling or uncoiling.

Claims

Claims:
1. A pipe compressing and coiling device, the device including:
a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis; and
a pipe compressing means for providing compressed pipe to the drum for coiling therearound,
wherein the pipe compressing means is adapted to compress the pipe, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, from a substantially round cross sectional shape to a substantially oval cross sectional shape.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device includes means to maintain the pipe compressed whilst it is wound around the drum.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pipe compressing means is adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum.
4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pipe compressing means is reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
5. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe compressing means includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
6. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pipe compressing means includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pipe compressing means includes two rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to grip and drive the pipe through the pipe compressing means and towards the drum.
8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pipe compressing means includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts.
9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts compress the pipe in a single action.
10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pipe compressing means includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to progressively compress the pipe in tum.
1 1. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the pipe compressing means includes two rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to progressively compress the pipe in turn.
12. The device as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc, such that they induce a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis.
13. The device as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , wherein the rollers, or roller pairs, sequentially compress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
14. The device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7 or 10 to 13, wherein the rollers, or roller pairs, are driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the drum is driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together.
17. The device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are gear coupled together.
18. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
19. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressed pipe storage drum and the pipe compressing means are relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the compressed pipe being coiled around the drum.
20. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pipe compressing and coiling device is mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
21. A pipe decompressing and uncoiling device, the device including:
a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis around which is coiled pipe that has been compressed, in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum, to a substantially oval cross sectional shape; and
a pipe decompressing means for removing the compressed pipe from the drum and decompressing it towards a substantially round cross sectional shape.
22. The device as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the compressed pipe is spirally coiled around the drum and the pipe decompressing means is adapted to reciprocate along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum.
23. The device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the pipe decompressing means is reciprocated along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
24. The device as claimed in claim 21, 22 or 23, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes at least one roller, or roller pair, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe decompressing means.
25. The device as claimed in claim 21 , 22 or 23, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe decompressing means.
26. The device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes two rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to grip and drive the pipe away from the drum and through the pipe decompressing means.
27. The device as claimed in claim 21 , 22 or 23, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts.
28. The device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the pair of opposed flat or profile traction belts compress the pipe in a single action.
29. The device as claimed in claim 21 , 22 or 23, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to progressively decompress the compressed pipe in turn.
30. The device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the pipe decompressing means includes two rollers, or roller pairs, adapted to progressively decompress the compressed pipe in turn.
31. The device as claimed in claim 29 or 30, wherein the rollers, or roller pairs,
5 sequentially decompress the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
32. The device as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 or 29 to 31 , wherein the rollers, or roller pairs, are each driven by an electric or hydraulic motor.
33. The device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the drum is driven by an electric or o hydraulic motor.
34. The device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are coupled together.
35. The device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are gear coupled together.
36. The device as claimed in claim 33, wherein the roller motor and the drum motor are independently driven.
37. The device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 36, wherein the storage drum and the pipe decompressing means are relatively driven so as to maintain a tension in the decompressed pipe being uncoiled from the drum.
38. The device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 37, wherein the pipe
decompressing and uncoiling device is mounted to a chassis or frame, which is adapted for transport with a trailer or truck.
39. The device as claimed in claim 38, wherein the pipe decompressing and uncoiling device includes means to monitor and/or adjust the speed at which the pipe is dereeled and decompressed.
40. The device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the monitoring means is driven by a wheel of the trailer or the truck.
41. The device as claimed in claim 39, wherein the monitoring means includes a Doppler velocimeter speed measurement and control.
42. A method of compressing and coiling a pipe, the method including the following steps:
compressing, in one direction, a substantially round cross sectionally shaped pipe to a substantially oval cross sectionally shaped pipe; and
coiling the compressed pipe around a pipe storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis;
wherein the pipe compressing direction is substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum.
43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the method includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally coil the compressed pipe around the drum.
44. The method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the method includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
45. The method as claimed in claim 42, 43 or 44, wherein the method includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair.
46. The method as claimed in claim 42, 43 or 44, wherein the method includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs.
47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the method includes the step of gripping and driving the pipe towards the drum with two rollers, or roller pairs.
48. The method as claimed in claim 42, 43 or 44, wherein the method includes the step of compressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts.
49. The method as claimed in claim 48, wherein the method includes the step of compressing the pipe with the pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts in a single action.
50. The method as claimed in claim 42, 43 or 44, wherein the method includes the step of progressively compressing the pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs.
51. The method as claimed in claim 50, wherein the method includes the step of progressively compressing the pipe in turn with two rollers, or roller pairs.
52. The method as claimed in claim 50 or 51, wherein the method includes inducing a curvature into the pipe that is complimentary to the rotational axis by gripping and driving the pipe through the plurality of rollers, or roller pairs, that are mounted offset from one another, or about an arc.
53. The method as claimed in claim 50 or 51 , wherein the method includes the step of sequentially compressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension about 70% of its original diameter.
54. A method of decompressing and uncoiling a compressed pipe, the method including the following steps:
uncoiling compressed pipe, from a storage drum having a longitudinal rotational axis, that has been compressed in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal rotational axis of the drum; and
decompressing the compressed pipe removed from the drum from a substantially oval cross sectional shape to a substantially round cross sectional shape.
55. The method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the method includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum to spirally uncoil the compressed pipe from the drum.
56. The method as claimed in claim 55, wherein the method includes the step of reciprocating the compressed pipe along the path by a worm gear or by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or by a linear servo motor.
57. The method as claimed in claim 54, 55 or 56, wherein the method includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with at least one roller, or roller pair.
58. The method as claimed in claim 54, 55 or 56, wherein the method includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs.
59. The method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the method includes the step of includes gripping and driving the pipe away from the drum with two rollers, or roller pairs.
60. The method as claimed in claim 54, 55 or 56, wherein the method includes the step of decompressing the pipe with a pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts.
61. The method as claimed in claim 60, wherein the method includes the step of decompressing the pipe with the pair of opposed flat or profiled tractor belts in a single action.
62. The method as claimed in claim 54, 55 or 56, wherein the method includes the step of progressively decompressing the compressed pipe in turn with a plurality of rollers, or roller pairs.
63. The method as claimed in claim 62, wherein the method includes the step of progressively decompressing the compressed pipe in turn with two rollers, or roller pairs.
64. The method as claimed in claim 62 or 63, wherein the method includes the step of •sequentially decompressing the pipe to a shorter dimension of about 70% of its original diameter and then to a shorter dimension of about 30% to 50% of its original diameter.
PCT/AU2011/000943 2010-08-31 2011-07-27 A pipe compressing and coiling device and method and a pipe decompressing and uncoiling device and method WO2012027775A1 (en)

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